A Review of Blind by Choice
By LMReviews on Feb 13, 2011 in Multicultural Lit Reviews, Multicultural Society
In Suchada Kailey’s multicultural romantic fiction novel Blind by Choice, Kailey introduces us to Steve Menger, a successful, confident American engineer in his thirties. Steve’s story begins when work takes him to Thailand. From his experiences with religion, social mores, cuisine, language and dating Thai women, we learn that Steve is very embracing of cultures different from his own due to his willingness to explore all things Thai. Through Steve’s experiences with Thai women of all temperaments both in Thailand and when he returns to America, Kailey allows the reader to view the Thai’s perception of America and the value that is placed on eligible American partners in the Thai community.
As Kailey describes the meddlesome older women, the desperate girls looking for someone to take care of them and every woman in between, we learn no type of woman is specific to any one culture. Whether it is the ideals of a close-knit family, an upstanding reputation, hard work, education, tradition, or the attraction of a better life, Steve learns that there are more motivations underlining a multicultural relationship than an agreeable nature, physical attraction and intellectual stimulation.
By the book’s end, Steve’s disappointment after two failed relationships with Thai women teaches him that his generalization of an entire culture of women who may exhibit desirable characteristics he found lacking in Western woman do not guarantee to bring him his happily ever after.
While Steve was a decent man, I didn’t find him particularly desirable. While I had reasonable images of what the Thai people looked like from his first girlfriend Noi to his wife Tina and all the dates in between, Steve remained a gray flannel suit with strong desires and opinions but no face. The Thai customs, cuisine and mannerisms were the most enjoyable.
I give Suchada Kailey’s Blind by Choice three Sable Seals.
Format Reviewed: Ebook
Publisher: Unlimited Publishing, LLC
